The family of Ethel Steele, a North Carolina nurse and mother of three who was found dead along with her children in an apparent murder-suicide on April 11, has spoken out about their loss. 

Steele’s children, two girls, Sakenya Syretha Steele, 12, and Sakendra Syann Steele, 9, and one boy Sakenlo Shawn Steele, 14, were allegedly fatally shot by their mother before she turned the gun on herself, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department. The bodies were discovered in the family’s Winston-Salem home.

Police responded to the home with reports of a shooting at around 11:54 am on Tuesday. Responding officers found four deceased people inside, including the three children, all with gunshot wounds. Steele had what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Steele’s aunt, Wanda Caton, expressed shock and disbelief about the tragic events and asked for privacy for the family. Caton described Steele as a caring mother who loved her kids very much and a nurse who cared deeply for her patients. She stressed that this behavior did not represent the Steele they knew.

Steele was a single parent who had been homeschooling her children since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The family estimated they lived in the home for about three years. They were also known for traveling extensively, including trips to New Orleans, Hawaii, and California. Steele’s brother, DMon Robinson, described the children as outgoing, one a cheerleader and another an artist.

Robinson said that the family had just returned from a trip to Florida on the Friday before the incident and that he had spoken to Steele then. He was shocked by what had happened, stating that he felt like he was in a nightmare.

While the investigation into the incident is ongoing, the family still waits for more information from the police. They asked the public to refrain from commenting or speculating if they did not know Steele personally. They are instead asking for respect for their privacy during this difficult time.